Method for controlling tissue growth with an applied fluctuating magnetic field

Abstract

An apparatus and method for regulating tissue growth in vivo are provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic field detector for producing a controlled, fluctuating, directionally oriented magnetic field parallel to a predetermined axis projecting through the target tissue. The field detector samples the magnetic flux density along the predetermined access and provides a signal to a microprocessor which determines the average value of the flux density. The applied magnetic field is oscillated at predetermined frequencies to maintain a preselected ratio of frequency to average flux density. This ratio is maintained by adjusting the frequency of the fluctuating magnetic field and/or by adjusting the intensity of the applied magnetic field as the composite magnetic flux density changes in response to changes in the local magnetic field to which the target tissue is subjected. By maintaining these precise predetermined ratios of frequency to average magnetic flux density, growth characteristics of the target tissue are controlled.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for regulating the growth characteristics of tissue in vivo in a human subject, comprising the steps of: positioning a magnetic field generating means adjacent to a living human subject in an ambient magnetic field having an ambient static component;   generating an applied magnetic flux with said magnetic field generating means, said applied magnetic flux extending through a region of tissue of said human subject along an axis projecting through said region of tissue, said applied magnetic field having both a time varying component and an applied static component; and   maintaining a ratio between the rate at which said time varying component changes and the magnitude of said applied static component of said applied field, wherein said ratio regulates the development of said tissue.